§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convicted prisoners released since 1 January 1997 have re-offended; what was the nature of their new offences; what illegal organisations they were associated with before their imprisonment; and what association they have with such organisations now. [55492]
§ Mr. IngramStatistical information in the precise form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I am, nevertheless, able to provide statistical information on similar themes.
The following table includes information on numbers of convicted prisoners released since 1 January 1997 and whether or not they were convicted of scheduled offences. It also includes information on the numbers of life sentence or Secretary of State's Pleasure prisoners released since that date and those who have had their life licence revoked.
No information is routinely available on the overall reconviction of prisoners released since 1 January 1997; their reconvicted offences; or their current association with illegal organisations.
Table 1: Numbers of prisoners discharged from sentences of immediate custody since 1 January 1997 according to scheduled1 or non-scheduled offences Offence type Number Scheduled offences 898 Non-scheduled offences 1,490 Total 2,388 Number of life sentence/SoSP prisoners released 247 Number whose licences were revoked 0 1 As listed in Schedule 1 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 2 All scheduled offences Notes:
1. Releases up until 7 September 1998
2. Excludes those committed and released from custody in default of the payment of fine
3. A licence may be revoked if the Secretary of State considers that continued liberty would be a risk to public safety. In many cases, the licensed prisoner will have been charged with or convicted of a new criminal offence, but this is not required by law
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